Kitty

David grew impatient waiting for Kitty to return and went after her. He tried to keep the annoyance out of his voice as he clomped through the grass, "Kitty, dearest what's taking so long?" Distracted by his growing irritation, he tripped over a log and stumbled forward cursing under his breath. When he regained his footing and looked up, his eyes widened in astonishment. Kitty was there, but was not alone. One man had an arm around her neck, other a gun pointed at her. Both men looked familiar, he'd seen them in Dodge.

David hesitated, torn between standing his ground and running away. It took a few seconds but greed won out over fear, he had to get Kitty back. He puffed out his chest and deepened his voice in an attempt to sound intimidating, "You'll let her go if you know what's good for you."

The gunman pointed his pistol at David, and mumbled something to his partner. He nodded and dragged Kitty away.

David stared at the gun pointed in his direction and was struck speechless. After a few long minutes, the gunman turned abruptly and sprinted through the grass in the direction his partner had taken Kitty. David started to follow, but after running a few steps decided it made more sense to get his carriage than to follow on foot.

Kitty staggered along, barely able to keep her feet on the ground as the muscular, dark haired man pulled her through the grassland. She was relieved when they came to a clearing and stopped. He let go of her, "Don't try and run away."

She massaged her neck and croaked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

He shrugged, "My name's Harry."

Minutes later the second man emerged from the high grass, panting hard, "What are you doing out here, let's go in the cave." He looked at Kitty and pointed to the entrance, "After you miss." Seeing no other choice Kitty went in, noting that both men had British accents similar to David's.

Meanwhile, David got into his carriage and drove in the general direction Kitty had been taken. He hit a patch of high grass and was unsure of which way to go. Any country boy would have been able follow the bend in the grass, but David was clueless. He made his best guess and continued.

Dodge City

The impact of the words in Kitty's note swept over Matt. She loved him, but was setting her happiness aside to protect others. He knew she'd never forgive herself if the Ronnigers were harmed, especially the children. She relished being Aunt Kitty and loved watching those kids grow up. They had a special place in her heart, all children did. Suddenly the face of the boy he'd killed forced its way into his mind. Young dead eyes staring into nothingness. Matt pushed the image away. All that mattered now was Kitty. Decisions would come later.

Clutching the note, he went back to her bedroom in horrible pain from his wound. He gingerly put a hand on his abdomen. His shirt was damp with blood. He sunk down into a chair. He'd sit for a minute before making his way to Doc's.

As if on cue, a loud bang shook the door, followed by an angry growl, "Matt are you in there?"

"Come in Doc."

"What in tarnation are you doing here? You were supposed to go home to bed, not climb stairs for no good reason." He saw the blood on Matt's shirt and exploded. "What have you been doing?" The angry rant continued as he had Matt lie down so he could repair the stitches, and change the bandage. Not having the benefit of whiskey, Matt bit the insides of his cheeks and ignored the tirade. When Doc was finished, Matt handed him the note.

Doc read the words and whispered, "Now it all makes sense." He looked at Matt, "What are we going to do? Kitty wrote she's trying to figure a way out, and we both know she's a smart resourceful woman, but she shouldn't be in this alone."

"I agree Doc, and I have some ideas. I need you to get Festus and Newly for me. I think I know a way to get the Ronnigers away from Billy and Greg, and I also want to find those two dark haired strangers Kitty mentioned. After that I'm going to St. Louis."

"Over my dead body. You can't travel, you can barely walk. You shouldn't have even climbed stairs. Look what happened when you did. Your stitches came loose and you started bleeding."

Matt began to answer angrily, but stopped himself and took a breath, "Doc, we both know I have to go after Kitty. I'd appreciate it if you'd come. I'm not in good shape and I'll likely need your help to get me through."

Taken aback by Matt's candor, Doc chose his words, "I'll get Festus and Newly. After you set your plans in motion, we'll think about traveling to St. Louis.

Kitty

Kitty sat in the cold, damp cave with her two captors, shivering slightly and listening carefully. The men didn't speak much but it was clear that Harry was taking orders from the other man, whose name she learned was Nigel.

She saw them exchange words and then stand. Harry went outside, and Nigel starting collecting twigs from floor of the cave. He piled them up and tried to get a fire going. His attempt was pitiful and Kitty watched with amusement as he tried and failed again and again. The man who had so dramatically struck a match against the Long Branch couldn't even start a campfire. Kitty shivered again, and decided that she'd have to offer advice if she was going to enjoy the warmth of a fire. "Nigel, it's so damp in here that everything in your pile is wet. You might want to go outside for kindling. Make sure everything is really dry, and remember a combination of thin and thick branches works best. He looked uncertain for a second, then muttered, "Stay here," and left. Minutes later he returned with an armful of twigs and branches, and before long a small fire was burning. She inched closer for warmth and spoke softly, "Nigel, why did you kidnap me? What are you going to do with me?"

Nigel looked surprised, as if it hadn't occurred to him she'd have questions, "Do? Nothing, we're just waiting."

He didn't elaborate and a few seconds later Harry returned carrying two saddlebags filled with supplies. Kitty made a mental note that they must have horses nearby. Harry made coffee and Nigel got out some bread and jerky. He handed her a piece of bread and a cup of coffee. The bread was stale and the coffee bitter, and it crossed her mind that when she was stuck with David at least she got better food.

She finished her coffee and tried to start a conversation, "I noticed you both in Dodge. I assumed you were - well - associates of David Miller's. I see that's not the case."

Neither man responded. She wanted to get one of them to make eye contact so held out her cup, "Could I please have more coffee?" Harry looked at her, refilled her cup and went back to staring at the fire.

An hour later she was no better informed, but after three cups of coffee, needed to pee. She got to her feet. Her movement drew her captors' attention, "Gentlemen, I have to go outside to relieve myself. I'll be right back."

Harry looked at Nigel. Nigel shrugged, "We're in the middle of nowhere, she won't run away."

Kitty walked a few feet from the cave. Nigel was right, she wouldn't run. It was getting dark and she had no idea where she was. She lifted her skirt and crouched down. When she was finished she took a few seconds to enjoy the fresh air before starting back. Out of nowhere a hand grip her arm. She whipped around and saw David. She could see his beaming smile in the dark, "Hello darling."

He led her to his carriage, "They won't follow soon. I set their horses free.

"David, who are they?"

He flicked the reins hard, "I have no idea. Did they say anything?"

"Not much. I did find out their names are Harry and Nigel. She leaned back in the padded carriage and thought about peeing in the woods. Who knew it could be so eventful.

TBC